Top African technology news for January 6, 2017

The service which has been delivering blood and other medical supplies in Rwanda is expected to kick off operations in Tanzania in early 2017. The trial is being funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Ifakara Health Institute in Dar-es-Salaam will be the local implementing partner.

4. POS usage in Nigeria increased by 62% in the past year

This is according to a report released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). Transactions via POS were worth ₦651.38 billion from January to November 2016 compared to ₦448.52 billion in 2015.

3. Egyptian health startup, Vezeeta, has raised $5 million in funding to expand its operations

The funding round was led by BECO Capital including other investors such as Vostok New Ventures, TDF and Silicon Badia. Disrupt Africa reports that the health startup which allows users to book doctor’s appointments online will use the money to expand its operations across the Middle East and North Africa.

2. The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has set floor prices for data and voice services in the country

According to a report by Herald, telecom providers have been directed to review their offerings and discontinue those not in line with the new floor prices by January 9, 2017. The regulator is also considering allowing operators charge a rate for data used on OTT calls.